"It's not even a question. It's not even a discussion. I think he gives us the best chance to win titles. You bring Dwight back and we're off and running.

"You have to look at how well we started playing together once this thing got solved. It finally got solved and we were all clicking and rolling. That's my message."

Bryant also had a message for Howard, who will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

"We all pride ourselves on being businessmen to a certain extent," Bryant said. "I think from a business standpoint it makes more sense, both contractually, and also perception-wise. This is an incredible market. It's a great place. A lot of things go well for you when you win here.

Pau is gone if there is a trade. If not then he stays. That simple. The only reason he's still on the team is cuz his trade value is [expletive] and we would rather keep pau and have his salary go off in 2014 than trade him for scrubs.